“Higher and Friendly Powers” Dr Peg O’Connor

Jeannine and Nate interview Dr Peg O’Connor, a recovering alcoholic and professor of philosophy specializing in addiction studies. Peg has been sober for 34 years. She believes that philosophy helped her to get and remain sober, but she avoided Alcoholics Anonymous for the first 20 years of her sobriety because of the concept of a “higher power.” Now, Dr. O’Connor is the author of the new book, Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering (Wildhouse Publications, August 15, 2022). In Higher and Friendly Powers, Peg O’Connor, PhD, addresses an audience much like herself: those in recovery who have struggled with the Christian-centric God at the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous. She brings our attention to a little-known fact: the term “higher power,” a touchstone in the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, was coined by William James, philosopher, psychologist, and intellectual giant of the early 20th century. Connect with Dr O’Connor: https://pegoconnorauthor.com/ Connect with the show: https://tinyurl.com/3zryea85 Connect with Narcan Nate: https://tinyurl.com/3fn4jkwh